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Govt keen to improve press freedom: Rijal

Expressing a full commitment to freedom of speech, expression and press, Minister for Information and Communications Minendra Rijal said on Tuesday that protection of individual’s rights to privacy is equally important along with safeguarding these rights.

In a meeting with the team of International Media Mission, lauding the contribution made by international press freedom organisations Minister Rijal said: “There is a qualitative improvement in the freedom of speech, expression and press in Nepal. We want to further enhance such scenario.”

He said the issue of minimum wage of journalists is also related to their security and the government is working on the implementation of Working Journalist Act. “The new communication policy is being drafted,” he said.

The mission is currently on tour here to gather first hand information on the latest status of freedom of speech and expression as well as safety of journalists in the country.

The mission representatives said the mission’s focus in Nepal has changed amid recent developments, with it being more concerned about physical security of journalists and growing impunity in Nepal. The mission has been visiting Nepal regularly since 2005 when the situation of press freedom was affected due to the royal takeover.

According to Laxman Datt Pant, project coordinator of Unesco’s Increasing the Safety of Journalist, the mission’s main purpose is to get information on the safety of journalists as well as present status of freedom of speech and expression. “Mission is consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including the CA members,” said Panta.

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Established in February 1993, the Kathmandu Post, Nepal’s first privately owned English broadsheet daily, is today Nepal’s leading English language newspaper, with a daily circulation of 82,000 copies. This makes the Post Nepal’s second-most widely circulated newspaper—after Kantipur daily. The Kathmandu Post is also a member of Asia News Network that has over 15 members and is known for its insightful, unbiased journalistic work of the highest calibre. Read more»